The online version of 9a was the original clue that was changed for publication as it was a little convoluted.

Thanks again,
Donk

]]>By: eimihttp://www.fifteensquared.net/2012/10/20/independent-crossword-8112-by-donk-saturday-prize-puzzle-13-10-2012/#comment-210487
Mon, 22 Oct 2012 11:10:11 +0000http://fifteensquared.net/?p=50259#comment-210487I thought the original a bit too tricky – and indeed several people have struggled to parse it. Unfortunately I failed to make the change in the 4D version.
]]>By: Thomas99http://www.fifteensquared.net/2012/10/20/independent-crossword-8112-by-donk-saturday-prize-puzzle-13-10-2012/#comment-210472
Mon, 22 Oct 2012 09:31:45 +0000http://fifteensquared.net/?p=50259#comment-210472Excellent debut. Does anyone know any more about the 2 versions of 9a? Both seem to be faultless, though the kid in space one seems easier to me (I did the other one, my last in, and I actually misparsed it a bit…). I wonder which was the original and which the replacement, and why. Thanks for the blog.
]]>By: twencelashttp://www.fifteensquared.net/2012/10/20/independent-crossword-8112-by-donk-saturday-prize-puzzle-13-10-2012/#comment-210359
Sat, 20 Oct 2012 20:49:34 +0000http://fifteensquared.net/?p=50259#comment-210359Thanks Ian – I’ve corrected my comment – as I said earlier, it’s been a long week
]]>By: anaxhttp://www.fifteensquared.net/2012/10/20/independent-crossword-8112-by-donk-saturday-prize-puzzle-13-10-2012/#comment-210356
Sat, 20 Oct 2012 20:25:11 +0000http://fifteensquared.net/?p=50259#comment-210356‘Break’
It is, though, Ian. In fact it’s one of those unusual instances where a bit of terminology has a double meaning in the same field. Yes, a break is a run of scoring shots, but it is also the opening shot of the frame.
“Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Fifth frame, Judd Trump to break”. To quote some referee or other.

Marvellous debut from Donk – I had a lot of fun solving this.

]]>By: Ian SW3http://www.fifteensquared.net/2012/10/20/independent-crossword-8112-by-donk-saturday-prize-puzzle-13-10-2012/#comment-210355
Sat, 20 Oct 2012 20:14:02 +0000http://fifteensquared.net/?p=50259#comment-210355Thanks. I’ve now read the Wikipedia page on snooker but find no reference to “D” as the place where the cue ball is placed at the start of a frame, though it is obvious from a diagram of the table why it would be called that. It also appears, though, that “break” in snooker does not mean (as it does in pool) the opening shot when the cue ball is placed there — it is any run of shots taken by a player during a frame, whether starting from the “D” or otherwise. I think the terminology is too obscure and muddled here to make a fair clue, so I still wonder why it was changed.

I assume you meant to write “pan” instead of “ram,” and I can vaguely see that pan might sometimes be interchangeable with hammer.

Apart from this one clue, I thought this was an enjoyable and well-constructed crossword.

Specialised track for runner – where to take a break from hammer (4,3)

The definition is Specialised track: Answer is Skid Pan (Chambers definition: a piece of slippery ground on which motorists can learn to control a skidding car.) i.e. a Specialised piece of road or track

Construction ski (runner) + D (where to take a break from – i.e. when you play snooker) + pan (hammer)

I was stumped at the finish by 9ac, as I still have no idea what a skid pan might be, and I still can’t make sense of the on-line clue, despite Gaufrid’s reply @9. It’s odd that they went from a comprehensible clue in the paper to an incomprehensible one a week later.

]]>By: Kathryn's Dadhttp://www.fifteensquared.net/2012/10/20/independent-crossword-8112-by-donk-saturday-prize-puzzle-13-10-2012/#comment-210325
Sat, 20 Oct 2012 16:11:46 +0000http://fifteensquared.net/?p=50259#comment-210325I don’t normally do the Indy Saturday puzzle, but I picked up a copy last week and was intrigued to find a new setter. I remember enjoying this one, but finding the last few tricky to complete, and I needed you, Twenceslas, to help with the parsing of a couple.

I guess JOSE for the ‘special one’ is going to disenfranchise those who aren’t into footie, but in the overall framework of the puzzle, I thought that was acceptable. EYE CANDY was also a contemporary definition, and my favourite clue in this one.

Well done to Donk on the dayboo and thanks to Twenceslas for the blog.

]]>By: Rorschachhttp://www.fifteensquared.net/2012/10/20/independent-crossword-8112-by-donk-saturday-prize-puzzle-13-10-2012/#comment-210321
Sat, 20 Oct 2012 15:54:44 +0000http://fifteensquared.net/?p=50259#comment-210321It was only a matter of time before Donk appeared in the nationals and this was a belting debut. My favourite was ONLINE for its seemless surface. Here’s to many more in the future – thanks old boy!